Table 3. Adverse Effects and Adverse Events Listed by Treatment Group.
| Adverse event or adverse effect | Participants, No. (%) (N = 74) | |
|---|---|---|
| SA group (n = 37) | NSA group (n = 37) | |
| Mild and transient adverse effects | ||
| Mild pain | 33 (94) | 32 (91) |
| Intense pain | 1 (3) | 0 |
| Punctate bleeding | 3 (9) | 2 (6) |
| Itching in the auricle | 11 (31) | 14 (40) |
| Increased appetite | 1 (3) | 0 |
| Headache | 1 (3) | 0 |
| Hot flashes | 0 | 1 (3) |
| Difficulty sleeping | 0 | 2 (6) |
| Sensitivity to pressure | 1 (3) | 2 (6) |
| Facial skin hypersensitivity | 0 | 1 (3) |
| Moderate adverse effect: local inflammation | 1 (3) | 0 |
| Moderate adverse events | ||
| Worsening of depressive symptoms (4 wk) | 0 | 0 |
| Worsening of depressive symptoms (6 wk) | 0 | 1 (6) |
| Worsening of depressive symptoms (3 mo) | 1 (3) | 1 (6) |
| Emergence of suicidal ideation (4 wk) | 0 | 2 (6) |
| Emergence of suicidal ideation (6 wk) | 0 | 2 (6) |
| Emergence of suicidal ideation (3 mo) | 2 (6) | 2 (6) |
| Any severe adverse events and adverse effects | 0 | 0 |
| Discontinuation due to adverse effects | ||
| Local pain | 3 (9) | 1 (3) |
| Local inflammation | 1 (3) | 0 |
Abbreviations: NSA, nonspecific auricular acupuncture; SA, specific auricular acupuncture.